reading log #1
English
The novel “Touching The Void”, written by Joe Simpson, an a award winning book, is an amazing novel based on a true story about 2 young climbers (Simon and Joe) who set out to the be the first to reach the summit of Siula Grande, in the Peruvian Andes. This novel presents the audience with a brilliant, vivid, spine chilling account of their terrifying adventure. The 2 main themes in this novel are friendship and trust.
The most scary part for me was when simon had to choose wether he would cut the rope in order to save his life or not. This scared me because it made me think what if he does cut the rope and get left to die at the bottom of the 100 foot crevasse??. Simon did have to make a choice on wether he cut the rope because he couldn’t have stayed there the whole time waiting if he was 99% sure that Joe was dead. Simon had to make a choice based on his life or death situation. When he made the decision to cut the rope and keep going, it made me feel nervous about what was going to happen next to Joe and if he would survive. This part of the story really stood out me to as I enjoy books that make you want to read more to see what happens. This story shows at although it was a life or death situation, he should have some how checked if Joe was still alive and save and not think about just him self.
Another part that shook me was when Joe tried to get out of the crevasse but slipped everytime. The novel gives lots of examples of the pain and thoughts that were going through Joes mind at the time. For example, the author Joe Simpson uses phrases like “ I craved sleep and and cared nothing of the consequences”, pressure pain in my chest. Retching and gagging, trying hard for the air.” These two phrases ( and more ) really caught my attention to reading more as the author of the book uses brutal adjectives to catch the readers eyes. From time to time it still shocks me about what happens
throughout the book.
When watching the actual documentary, the footage wasn’t real, but it gave everyone who watched it a real glimpse of what it would have been like for the two brave mountaineers who persisted on throughout the hardship no matter what. It showed us what sort of weather can occur on mountains at anytime and what sudden dangers can happen to anyone climbing.
For me, the biggest theme was trust. Although they knew each other well and were good mates, a lot of trust had to go into things like Joe who was getting lead at the back of the rope by Simon he had to really trust his skills and knowledge based on mountaineering that they would be okay. Friendship was another main theme in the novel. Simon and Joes
After watching the documentary, it made me feel happy that Joe was able to get out of the crevasse and a big relief. Knowing that this was a real life situation for someone to have to have gone through makes me feel very lucky that I don’t have to be in that situation myself.
The negative impact that mountain climbing has had on many, many people not only climbers is loss of family member in which some cases can be very devastating and heart breaking. People aged from 20-35 years of age risk their lives to climb mountains but some result in devastating actions.
Reading this book has made me more and more aware of the things that go on around me that a lot of people don’t take into consideration and thought. I think everyone who hasn’t has an indoor life and not very aware of everyday things that go on around them should read this novel that will make them more aware of incidents that happen.
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